Clasp construction



Dec. 27,1938. E. PRESTINARI 2,141,251

cLAsP CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 27, 1957 "-I- v a -Ell e51 Preshnarz/ B l4- 'GAIZ MQMU IVW I ATTORNE s Patented Dec. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,141,251 CLASP CONSTRUCTION Application September 27, 1937;Seria1 N0.'165,83'3

16 Claims.

This invention relates to connecting devices and -more particularly to a center catch for a bracelet or the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a connecting device which is simple and inexpensive in construction, sturdy, and durable under conditions of rigorous use. Another object is to provide a connecting device which securely connects the ends'of a bracelet and effectively precludes inadvertent separation thereof. Another object is to provide a device of the above nature, which may be easily operated, and which harmonizes'with the appearance of the bracelet. Other objects will ,be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which willbe indicated in the followingclaims.

In the drawing which illustrates one of the various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the center clasp connecting the ends of a'bracelet;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the body of my center clasp;

Figure 3 is a, perspectiveview of the operating lever of my center clasp;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of apawl;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the safety catchoi my center clasp;

Figure 6 is an elevation partly in section of my center clasp during one phase of its operation;

Figure '7 is an elevation partly in section of my center clasp during another phase of its operation;

Figure 8 is an elevation partly in section of my center clasp in its closed, or bracelet-end securing position; and,

Figure 9 is a section taken along the line 99 in Figure 8.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views of the drawmg.

To afford a clearer understanding of certain features of my invention, it might be pointed out here that bracelet connectors or center catches are generally so positioned on a bracelet that they may be inadvertently opened. This is particularly true of close fitting bracelets such as are worn with a wrist watch, for example. Many of these connectors are characterized by a lever of some sort "whichis movable between closed and open positions to connect the bracelet ends or permit disconnection thereof. Such levers often inadvertently swing open, unknown to the wearer, and the bracelet slips off and becomes lost. Various connectors havebeen devised with supplem'ental catches whose purpose/is to retain the bracelet ends 'after'inadvertent or purposeful opening of the main catches. Many of these catches are, however, "sorcomplicated that they are"easily"damagedor'wear to a point of inef- 10 fectiveness so'thatthesaiety'catch becomes useless. Other catches of this type are difficult to operate'a'nol are so cumbersome that they detract fromthe appearance of the bracelet. It is anothenobjec't 'of this invention to provide a connecting devicewhich obviates the above difficulties in addition to various others.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawing, my connectonis' generally indicated at l5, and (as describedbelow) a portion of it is preferably integral with" a'bracelet cord link or clasp generally indicated atltp'referably of the type disclosed in my obj-pending application, Serial No. 89,319, filed July'l, 1936. Clasp l6 'detachably secures the'ends l1 of'abracelet cor-d, the other ends I8 2 of which are secured in alink or clasp generally indicated at i 9,c'lasp l9 being substantially 'similar toclasp I6 and detachably connectable to connector ["5 in a manner'hereinafter described.

The body portion of connector I5 is shown in 3 Figure 2, and comprises a housing or channel generally indicated fat 20 extending from clasp 16. Housing 26 is"fori ne'd by side walls 2| and 22 which extend from the sides of clasp l6 and which,'with a transverse top portion 23, form an 35 opening '24. Side walls2l and 22 preferably curve inw'ardly'towardoneanother at 25 and 26 to form sides 21 and 28 of a' substantially U-shaped portion,'the bottom of which isformed by preferably co-planar portions '29 and 30 which extend to- 4 wardonea'nother respectively from sides 21 and 28. Portions 28 'andf3ll are preferably formed to provide an opening'31'at the forward ends thereof,"and 'asma'lleropeningefialong the rear portions thereoffor purposes described below.

Stillreferring toFig'ure 2, the upper edges of sidesZ'I and 28 are provided with flanges 33 and 34 which'extend'toward one another and partially close the 'rear portion of the channel. To the left or iorwardly'of flanges"3.3 and 34, I provide 50 notches-35'and'36 in sides-21 and 28 and forwardly'of these notches are a pair of ears 3! and 38 each-provided with a p'e'r'foration.

Channel'earstl and-38 are formed to pivotally support-la-cover"member or operating lever gen- 55 erally indicated at 39 in Figure 3. Operating lever 39 preferably comprises a top portion 40 having depending flanges 4| and 42 formed along the longitudinal edges thereof. At one end of lever 39 I provide a finger piece 43 from which extends a detent 44 adapted to coact with edge 2311 (Figure 2) of top portion 23 to hold lever 39 in its closed position, as will be described more fully below.

Referring again to Figure 3, the other end of lever 39 has a journal 45 formed thereon, this journal preferably being formed by folding the end of the lever back upon itself, thus providing a bore 46 extending through the journal. Journal 45 has a slot 41, formed therein, one end 41a of thisslot preferably being substantially adjacent end 4511 of the journal, the other end 4'") (Figure 6) of slot 41 preferably being adjacent top portion 49 of the lever. Thus slot ends 41a and 47b form shoulders, the purpose of which is described below.

Slot 4'! (Figure 3) is formed to pivotally receive a pawl generally indicated at 48 in Figure 4, this pawl preferably comprising a substantially circular bearing portion 49 and an arm 50. Bearing portion 49 of the pawl is disposed in slot 47 (Figure 3) of lever 39 and the assembled pawl and leverare then disposed between ears 3'! and 38 (Figure 2) of channel 20 wherein they are held in pivotal position by a pin 5| (Figure 6) which extends through the lever, pawl and channel ears.

Pawl 48 coacts with a slidable safety catch generally indicated at 52 (Figure 5) which is preferably substantially U-shaped and comprises a bottom 53 having an elongated slot 54 formed in the free end thereof. The free end 55 of bottom 53 of the catch is preferably bent downwardly with respect to the plane of bottom 53 so that end 54a of slot 54 (see Figure 6) is inclined from the horizontal. Catch 52 (Figure 5) also includes an upper portion 56, on the end of which is formed a finger piece 5'! having suitable notches formed therein for engagement by the finger nail to operate the catch. The free end 51a. of finger piece 57 is preferably beveled (see Figure 6) for a purpose hereinafter described. Preferably a pair of ears 65 (Figure 5) extend upwardly from lower portion 53 substantially to upper portion 56 of catch 52 to prevent undue flattening or bending of the catch from excessive pressure on finger piece 51. Preferably the width of catch portions 55 and 53 slightly exceeds the space between sides 27 and 28 (Figure 2) of channel 20. Accordingly, positioning of catch 52 between walls 21 and 28 of channel 20 causes the walls to spring apart slightly (this action being possible because of opening 32 between bottom portions 29 and 39). Thus while catch 52 is slidable in channel 20, it is frictionally held by the channel walls against inadvertent movement. Flanges 33 and 34 (Figure 2) prevent displacement of catch 52 upwardly of the channel.

Referring now to Figures 6, 7 and 8, wherein the several parts shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are shown in assembled relationship, catch 52 lies within housing 20 and when in its open position (Figure 6) its finger piece 5! lies to the right of notches 35 and 36, leaving the notches open. When catch 52 is in this position, pawl arm 59 rests against inclined end 540. of catch slot 54 in a position to draw the catch to the left, as viewed in Figure 6, when actuated by lever 39, as will be described in greater detail.

Bracelet'cord link or clasp l9 (Figure 1) is provided with extended side walls 58 and 59 connected by a cross bar 54, framing an opening 60. Cross bar 64 (Figure 9) comprises top portions BI and 62, and a depressed portion 63 which is inclined from the horizontal for a purpose hereinafter described. As shown in Figure 7, operating lever 39, when in its open position, may be threaded through the opening 69 in the end of clasp l9 so as to position depressed portion 63 of cross bar 64 against beveled edge 51a of the 1 safety catch finger piece 51. Crossbar 64 is so positioned when safety catch 52 is in its closed position, i. e., when the catch lies in the lefthand portion of housing 29 (Figure 7), that it prevents entry of cross bar 64 into notches 35 and 39. However, operating lever 39 may be swung in a clockwise direction until its flanges 4i and 42 engage top portions Bi and 52 of cross bar 64. Further clockwise movement of operating lever 39 forces bottom portion 63 of cross bar 54 against bevel 57a on catch 52 and presses the catch to the right as viewed in Figure '7 to permit entry of the cross bar into notches 35 and 36. As cross bar portion 63 is inclined it acts like a'knii'e edge to facilitate the opening action. Continued clockwise movement of operating lever 39 into the position shown in Figure 8 results in engagement of end 47a of lever slot 41 by pawl arm 59 so that pawl 48 is forced against slot end 5%, of catch 52 to pull the catch to the left, as viewed in Figure 8, thus drawing the lefthand end of catch flnger piece 51 over'cross bar to retain the cross bar within slots 35 and 3B. When this movement of pawl 48 is completed, the end of pawl arm 55 lies within opening 3! in the bottom of channel 29 (Figure 8). Also, lever has been forced to its closed position wherein detent 44 frictionally engages edge 23a. of channel top portion 23, thus holding lever 39 in closed position.

When it is desired to disconnect clasp l9 from connector i5 (Figure 8),. lever 39 is lifted in counter-clockwise direction by finger piece 43 and swing to the position shown in Figure 6. This movement of the lever, however, has no efiect on safety catch 52 (Figure 8) because of the length of lever slot 4?. Slot 4'! is accordingly a lost motion device for actuating pawl 48 in a clockwise or closing direction. Hence, when lever 39 is in open position, as shown in Figure 6, safety catch 52 can only be moved from its closed position, shown in Figure 8, by independent manipulation, i. e. by way of finger piece 51.

It may now be seen that if lever 39 is inadvertently opened, safety catch 52 remains in its closed position to maintain cross bar 64 of clasp l9 connected to connector l5, and this because of the frictional engagement of safety catch 52 between walls 27 and 23 of channel 29. Furthermore, because of the lost motion caused by lever slot 47 (Figure 7), shoulder 47a of the slot does not. engage pawl 48 until safety catch 52 has been forced to the right (its open position): for example when flanges 4| and 42 force cross bar 54 against bevel 5'ia to move the bar into notches 35 and 35. This leaves catch 52 free to close upon downward movement of lever 39, as described. above.

To summarize the operation of my connector: Lever 39 is'moved to its open'position as shown in Figure 6, wherein it may bethreaded through opening 55 of clasp I 9. If safety catch 52 is in its open position, as shown in Figure 6, clasp cross bar 64 may immediately be seated in notches 35 and 39, but, if the safety catch is in its closed position, as shown in Figure 7, the cross bar is forced against bevel 51a of the catch to open it. When clasp cross bar 64 is in the notches, swinging of lever 39 in a clockwise direction causes engagement of shoulder 41a of lever slot 41 by arm 50 of the pawl. Continued clockwise movement of lever 39 to its closed position (Figure '7), wherein detent 44 engages edge 23a, imparts clockwise movement to pawl arm 50, which bears against slot edge 54a of catch 52 to draw the catch to the left, as viewed in Figure 8. Thus finger piece 51 rides across bar 84 of clasp I!) to connect the bar, and accordingly the clasp to connector l5.

When lever 39 is swung counter-clockwise (Figure '7) to permit disconnection of the connector, its end 39a (Figure 3) which is prefer-r ably squared, rides into notches 31a and 38a (Figures 2 and '7) formed in ears 31 and 38, and abuts against the ears to limit the opening movement of lever 39. The provision of these formations has the effect of strengthening the lever and guards against distortion thereof from the application of excessive opening movement.

Accordingly I have provided a bracelet end connector which accomplishes in a thoroughly practical and eflicient manner the several objects set forth hereinabove.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawing, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

I claim:

1. A bracelet end connecting device comprising, in combination, a link adapted to be secured to the end of a bracelet, said link including a transverse cross bar having raised and depressed portions, a second link adapted to be connected to the other end of said bracelet and including a body portion, said body portion being formed to receive said cross bar, an operating member associated with said body portion and formed to be threaded through said first-mentioned link to position said cross bar in connecting relationship with said body portion, and a safety catch positioned within said body portion for retaining said cross bar therein, said catch including a beveled portion positionable to be engaged by said cross bar, said cross bar lying in the path of movement of said operating member whereby closing movement of said member forces the depressed portion of said cross bar against the beveled portion of said safety catch to move said catch out of its cross bar retaining position.

2. A device of the nature described comprising, in combination, a body member having side walls and a connecting web portion, said side walls having notches formed between the ends thereof adapted to receive a coupling or the like, a catch slidably mounted in said body member adapted to slide from an open position spaced from said notches to a closed position wherein it blocks the entrance to said notches to hold the coupling therein, the portion of said catch which blocks said notches having a beveled upper surface, and a second catch pivotally mounted on said body member and swingable from an open to a locking position where it overlies said first-mentioned catch and said notches, said second catch having mentioned, catch is in closed position to force said first-mentioned catch into its open position to permit entrance of said coupling into said notches;

3. A device of the nature described comprising, in combination, a body member having side walls and a connecting web portion, said side walls having notches formed between the ends thereof adapted to receive a coupling or the like, a catch slidably mounted in said body member adapted to slide from an open position spaced from said notches to a closed position wherein it blocks the entrance to said notches to hold the coupling therein, the portion of said catch which blocks said notches having a beveled upper surface, a second catch pivotally mounted on said body member and swingable from an open to a locking position where it overlies said first-mentioned catch and said notches, said second catch having a portion which engages said coupling to force it against said beveled surface when said first-mentioned catch is in closed position to force said first-mentioned catch into its open position to permit entrance of said coupling into said notches, and a part operated by said secondmentioned catch and engageable with said firstmentioned catch to force it into its closed position when the second catch is swung to its closed position.

4. A device of the nature described comprising, in combination, a hollow body member having wall portions connected by a web portion, said wall portions having notches formed between the ends thereof adapted to receive a coupling or the like, a safety catch slidably disposed in said body member and movable from an open position to a closed position wherein it overlies said coupling when the coupling is in said notches to retain the coupling therein, an operating member pivotally secured to said side walls and swingable from an open to a closed position overlying said safety catch and said coupling, and an element pivoted coaxially with said operating member and engageable thereby upon closing movement thereof to force said safety catch into its closed position.

5. A device of the nature described comprising, in combination, a hollow body member having wall portions connected by a web portion,. said wall portions having notches formed between the ends thereof adapted to receive a coupling or the like, a safety catch slidably disposed in said body member and movable from an open position to a closed position wherein it overlies said coupling when the coupling is in said notches to retain the coupling therein, an operating member pivotally secured to said side walls and swingable from an open to a closed position overlying said safety catch and said coupling, an element pivoted coaxially with said operating member and engageable thereby upon closing movement thereof to force said safety catch into its closed position, and means forming a lost motion connection between said operating member and said element whereby closing movement of said operating member pivots said element against said safety catch to close the catch, but opening movement of said operating member does not move said element or said catch.

6. A center catch for a wrist watch bracelet or the like, comprising, in combination, a body member formed to receive a link end, a slotted catch movably associated with said body member and movable from an open to a closed position to retain said link end in related assembly with said body member, a movable-lever operatively con-- nected with said body member, and a part movably mounted in said body member and engageable by said lever upon operation thereof for movement into the slot in said catch, whereby movement of said lever moves said catch to its closed position, a

7. A center catch for a wrist watch bracelet or the like, comprising, in combination, a body member including a portion formed to receive a link end, movable means for retaining said link end in said body member, a part pivotally connected to said body member and pivotable between open' and closed positions with respect to that portion of said body member formed to receive the link end, and a pawl in said body member having a lost motion connection with'said part and operable thereby during closing pivoting thereof to force said movable means into link retaining position.

8. A center catch for a wrist watch bracelet or the like, comprising, in combination, a body member including a portion formed to receive a link end, movable means for retaining said link end in said body member, a part pivotally connected to said body member and pivotable between open and closed positions with respect to that portion of said body member formed to receive the link end, a pawl in said body member associated with said part and operable thereby during closing pivoting thereof to force said movable means into link retaining position, said pawl having a lost motion connection with said part whereby movement of said part to its open position leaves said movable means in link retaining position, and means associated with said movable means accessible to manual engagement when said part is in open position, whereby said movable means may be moved from link retaining position.

9. A bracelet end connecting device, comprising, in combination, a link adapted to be secured to the end of a bracelet, said link having a transverse coupling bar, a second link adapted to be connected to the other end of the bracelet and including a body portion, said body portion being formed to receive said coupling, an operating member associated with said body portion and formed to be threaded through said first-mentioned link to position said coupling bar in connected relationship with said body portion, and

a catch mounted in said body portion for move ment into and out of coupling bar retaining position, said catch underlying said coupling bar when the catch is in bar retaining position and the bar is resting thereagainst and both the catch and bar lying in the path of movement of said operating member which upon closing movement thereof forces said bar against said catch to move the catch out of its bar retaining position.

10. A center catch for a wrist watch bracelet or the like, comprising, in combination, a channelshaped hollow body member having side walls connected by a substantially flat web portion, said wall portions having notches formed between the ends thereof adjacent one end of said body member and adapted to receive a coupling or the like, the bottoms of said notches being spaced above said web, a safety catch mounted in said body member between said wall portions and having an overhanging portion, said catch being mov able from an open position in which said overhanging portion is clear of said notches to a closed position wherein said overhanging portion overlies said coupling when the coupling is positioned in said notches, and a control member for saidcatch movably mounted in said body member 11. A center catch for a wrist watch bracelet or the like, comprising, in combination, a channelshaped hollow body member having side walls connected by a substantially flat web portion, said wall portions having notches formed between the ends thereof adjacent one end of said body memher and adapted to receive a coupling or the like, the bottoms of said notches being spaced above Said Web, a safety catch mounted in said body member between said wall portions and having an overhanging portion, said catch being movable from an open position in which said overhanging portion is clear of said notches to a closed position wherein said overhanging portion overlies said coupling when the coupling is positioned in said notches, a control member for said catch movably mounted in said body member independently of said catch between said wall portions and in engagement with said catch, a portion of said control member being located between said notches. and above the bottoms thereof when said catch is in said open position, whereby said coupling engages said control member upon insertion in said notches to efiect movement of said catch to its closed position, and a second catch pivotally connected to said body member and pivotable from an open position with respect to said notches to a closed position with respect thereto.

12. A center catch for a wrist watch bracelet or the like, comprising, in combination, a channelshaped hollow body member having side walls connected by a substantially fiat web portion, said wall portions having notches formed between the ends thereof adjacent one end of said body member and adapted to receive acoupling or the like, the bottoms of said notches being spaced above said web, a safety catch mounted in said body member between said wall portions and having an overhanging portion, said catch being movable from an open position in which said overhanging portion is clear of said notches to a closed position wherein said overhanging portion overlies said coupling when the coupling is positioned in said notches, a control member for said catch movably mounted in said body member independently'oi said catch between said wall portions and in engagement with'said catch, a portion of said control member being located between said notches and above the bottoms thereof when said catch is in said open position, whereby said coupling engages said control member upon insertion in said notches to effect movement of said catch to its closed position, and a second catch pivotally connected to said body member and pivotable from an open position with respect to said notches to a closed position with respect thereto, said second catch being operably disassociated with said safety catch at least during opening operation, whereby said safety catch remains closed upon said second catch being opened.

13. A center catch for a wrist watch bracelet or the like comprising, in combination, a channelshaped hollow body member having side walls joined to the bottom of the body member, said body member having-a recess formed between the ends thereof adjacent one end of said body member and adapted to receive a coupling or the like, the bottom of said recess being spaced above the bottom of said body member, a. safety catch mounted in said body member between said wall portions and having a coupling retaining portion, said catch being movable from an open position in which said coupling retaining portion is clear of said recess to a closed position wherein said coupling retaining portion overlies said coupling when the coupling is positioned in said recess, and a control member for said catch movably mounted in said body member independently of said catch between said wall portions and in engagement with said catch, a portion of said control member being located within said recess and above the bottom thereof when said catch is in said open position, whereby said coupling engages said control member upon insertion in said recess to effect movement of said catch to its closed position.

14. A center catch for a wrist watch bracelet or the like comprising, in combination, a channelshaped hollow body member having side walls joined to the bottom of the body member, said body member having a recess formed between the ends thereof adjacent one end of said body member and adapted to receive a coupling or the like, a safety catch mounted for sliding movement longitudinally within said body member between said wall portions, said catch having a coupling retaining portion and being movable from an open position to a closed position to overlie said coupling when the coupling is positioned in said recess, a control member for said catch pivotally mounted between the side walls of said body member and in operative engagement with said catch, a portion of said control member being located within said recess when said catch is in its open position, whereby the coupling engages said control member upon insertion in said recess to efiect movement of said catch to its closed position.

15. A device of the nature described, in combination, a body member having a recess adapted to receive a coupling or the like, a catch mounted in said body member and movable from a release to a retaining position with respect to said coupling when in said recess, said catch including a lower portion lying within said body member near the bottom thereof, and a part movably mounted in said body member operatively associated with said lower catch portion, said part being positioned for engagement by said coupling when it is placed within said recess to effect movement of said catch to its. retaining position.

16. A device of the nature described, in combination, a body member having a recess adapted to receive a coupling or the like, a catch mounted in said body member and movable from a release to a retaining position with respect to said coupling when in said recess, said catch having a portion which when the catch is in retaining position overlies said coupling when it is in said recess, said catch including another portion underlying said recess, and av part movably mounted in said body member engaging said second-mentioned catch portion and adapted to effect movement of said catch to said retaining position when said part is engaged by said coupling.

EUGEN PRES'IINARI. 

